RATE INCREASE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 119, 5 June 1937, Page 3

RATE INCREASE

Own Corresponden.)

WAIPUKURAU BOROUGH ESTIMATES

(From Our

WAIPUKURAU, Last Night. Borough ratepayers of Waipukurau will b© calied upon to pay an extra f d. in the pound during the coming year. At a special meeting of the Borough Council, when the • ensuing year's estimates were considered, it was revealed that the rate of 9 7-8d. in the pound would have to be increased . to 10 5-8d. in the pound, to tide the b.orough over a year iD which, many progressiv© works will be undertaken. The general rate has. been reduced from 4 '5-8d. to 3 7-8d. ; the hospital' rate increased from 5-8d. to 7-8d; ; the loan conversion No. 1 fr.oin 2 5-8d. to 3 3-8d. ; and the loan conversion No. 2 from 2d. to 2Jd. - The advance ih the Hoepital Board levy accounts for id. of the increase; the Napier Harbour rata, to be imposed again his year by the board, represents practically an additxonal f arthing ; while provision for the expenditure of £600 on the first portion of a tar-«ealing programme within the Borough is equivalent to a rate of ld. in the pound. These items on the expenditure side are thus equal to a, -rate of "ljd., just douhle the increase proposed to be made. It is proposed to carry out the tarsealing of Russell street from Herbert road through to. the Railway Esplanade at its junction with Ruataniwha street; also the small portion of Northumberland - street from the main thorOugjhfare to • Russell street, and the lower - portion * of • ; Kitchener street to near the entrance : to Hunter Memorial Parlr. .... River Proteotlon. Other features in a pr.ogrossive policy of borough administratiori also help to absorb the prospective revenue. A sum of £360 is set aside for river proteetion, and, with a probable subsidy from the G.overnment departments concerned, it is considered that a scheme can be carried out to effectively free the northern area of the Borough from the flood menace. The wages bill for the outside staff has been increased by recent awards, and the town clerk-engineer and his assistant have received an advance of £52 eagfr in recognition of efficient service. In addition the cost of all materials has substantially increased. • Provision - is ' made ■ for * some improvement at the motorists' camping gr.ound, street . lighting is . to receive attention,, needed. repairs . are - to. be carried out at> the tbeatre, and various minor proposals run away with a few pounds here ' and there. ' In all' a total revenue .of £6,706 3/9 is estimated, and an expenditure of £6,603 8/5 is budgeted for, leaving a probable " bal&nce of £102 15/4.